Research Topic: The relationship between self-esteem and test
performance.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of .56
between the two variables. What are at least three possible causal
explanations for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?

Group #2

Research Topic: The relationship between the amount of time couples
spend together and their relationship satisfaction.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of .56
between the two variables. What are at least three possible causal
explanations for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?

Group #3

Research Topic: The relationship between audience members' opinions
of a movie and their mood.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of .56
between the two variables (between liking the movie and audience members'
happiness). What are at least three possible causal explanations
for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?

Group #4

Research Topic: The relationship between alcohol consumption
and academic performance.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of ?.56
between the two variables. What are at least three possible causal
explanations for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?

Group #5

Research Topic: The relationship between time spent listening
to Heavy Metal music and aggression.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of .56
between the two variables. What are at least three possible causal
explanations for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?

Group #6

Research Topic: The relationship between the physical attractiveness
of a political candidate and voters' opinions of him.

1. Design a correlational study to investigate the relationship
between these two variables. What is your hypothesis? How will
you operationally define and measure the two variables?

2. How will you obtain a random sample of participants?

3. Assume that your study produces a correlation of .56
between the two variables. What are at least three possible causal
explanations for this relationship?

4. Now design an experimental study to investigate these
variables. What is your hypothesis? What type of hypotheses
does the experimental method allow you to test that the correlational method
does not?

5. What is your independent variable? What is your
dependent variable?

6. How will you make sure that the study has high internal
validity? Will you use random assignment to conditions?

7. Do any ethical concerns about the treatment of participants
emerge from your experimental design?